Cover Isopod ramen (Photo: Instagram / @the_ramen_boy)
Isopod ramen (Photo: Instagram / @the_ramen_boy)
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Here are six weird and wonderful varieties of ramen that will make you think twice before trying
You’ve probably heard of the controversial durian ramen from Menya Shi Shi Do that has gone viral, but have you seen isopod ramen from The Ramen Boy, ice cream-topped ramen from Franken or frog ramen from Yuan Ramen? We’ve done our research and rounded up six of the most unconventional bowls of noodles that would intimidate even the most adventurous eaters.
Here are the locations where you can get your hands on a bowl to try. That is, if you dare!
Read more: Malaysian cuisine from a Malaysian home: Jasvinder Karam, author of Champur, shares her perspective
Isopod ramen
Akin to a creature out of a sci-fi movie, a 14-legged crustacean sits on top of a bowl of ramen at Taipei-based ramen bar, The Ramen Boy. The isopod is steamed before serving, and according to customers, tastes similar to crab or lobster.
The Ramen Boy, No. 279, Section 2, Bade Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Instagram / @ the_ramen_boy
Crocodile paw ramen
Above Crocodile paw ramen (Photo: Facebook / Witch Noodle Soup)
Crocodile paw ramen (Photo: Facebook / Witch Noodle Soup)
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Witch Noodle Soup in Douliu, Taiwan, serves bowls of ramen topped with an entire crocodile paw, which reaches out across the bowl of broth. The dish is known as the Godzilla Crocodila Ramen, and also comes with quail eggs, corn, seaweed, and lime slices.
Witch Noodle Soup, No. 199, Aiguo Street, Douliu City, Yunlin County, Taiwan, +886 0968 337 774
See also: 5 reasons why we're excited for Gordon Ramsay's Street Pizza to open in Sunway Pyramid
Durian ramen
Closer to home, Menya Shi Shi Do is known for unconventional ramen, such as chocolate or croissant-based bowls of noodles. Its most recent, and perhaps most controversial creation is the durian ramen, served in a hollowed-out durian shell with a seed of supple durian flesh, which blends with the signature tonkatsu soup.
Menya Shi Shi Do, 2, Jalan 51a/225, Seksyen 51a, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Instagram / @menyashishido
Blue Ramen
You might be surprised to find out that Kipposhi’s fluorescent blue ramen is all-natural and contains no food colouring. While the exact recipe is a secret, the broth tastes similar to clear chicken ramen. According to the owner, the aesthetics of the bowl is inspired by the bright blue Hawaiian sea.
Kipposhi, 1 Chome−11−5, Jinnan, Shibuya City, Tokyo, Instagram / @kipposhi21
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Ice cream ramen
Can’t decide between sweet or savoury? At Osaka-based restaurant Franken, you can have both at the same time with the ice cream ramen, which sees gochujang and miso-based ramen topped with a whole chocolate and vanilla soft serve cone.
Franken, 3 Chome-5-3 Kitakyuhojimachi, Chuo Ward, Osaka, +81 6 7650 0078
Frog ramen
Above Frog ramen (Photo: Facebook / Yuan Ramen)
Frog ramen (Photo: Facebook / Yuan Ramen)
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Living up to its name, Yuan Ramen’s Frog Frog Frog Ramen is finished with a whole, unpeeled frog. Each frog weighs 200g and sits above a bowl of noodles with the restaurant’s signature fish and clam soup base.
Yuan Ramen, No. 4, Jiuru St, Douliu City, Yunlin County, Taiwan 640, +886 5 533 6202
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About
Katelyn is the dining and travel editor of Malaysia and Indonesia. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she offers readers an inside look at the movers and shakers in Asia’s growing food and beverage industry.
